Device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material



June 18, 1940. K, BUNZL, v 2,205,371

DEVICE FOR THE LATERAL STRETCH'ING OF WEBS 0F TEXTILE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 17, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

K. BUNZLI June 18, 1940.

DEVICE FOR THE LATERAL STRETCHING OF WEBS OF TEXTILE MATERIAL Filed 001;. 1'7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fiar/ Bunz/i ATTORNEY.

v BY

Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE DEVICE FOR THE LATERAL STRETCHING OF WEBS F TEXTILE MATERIAL Application October 17, 1939, Serial No. 299,805 In Switzerland September 20, 1938 20 Claims.

This invention relates to new and'useful improvements in devices for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material.

The conventional treatment of webs of textile material and particularly the wet treatment thereof frequently includes a lateral stretching operation of such webs by means of suitable devices. Devices that may be used for this purpose are, for instance, those of the laterally elastic endless belt or roll type, i. e., devices in which a rotating laterally elastic endless belt or roll laterally expands, and preferably from the center outwardly to both sides, while in frictional engagement with a fabric web passing over the same, thereby laterally stretching such web, and in which, after the fabric has left the belt or roll the same again contracts to the starting position. Such device is for instance described in the U. S. Patent No. 2,171,551 to Hannig. In devices of this type however the fabric web will often run off its course which seriously interferes with successful operations, I have discoveredthat this may be prevented and that the fabric web will automatically right itself on its designated course by temporarily eliminating the expanding and contracting action of the belt or roll during the expanding and contracting such belt or roll during the progress thereof and suitable means for temporarily eliminating the belt or roll'expanding and contracting action of the latter means upon actuation by suitable means engaged by a textile web running off its course and released when such web returns to its course.

The invention will be more fully understood and the objects thereof will appear from the foregoing and the following. description read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention with parts cut away.

Fig. 2 is a front view partly in cross section of part of the construction of the device in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a top view of part of the 'construction shown in Fig. 2. r

Fig. 4 represents a cross sectional view through the construction shown .in Fig. 3 in the plane 4 4 and,

Fig. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of part of the construction shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings and specifically to Figs. 1 and 2, showing a preferred embodiment of the invention, shaft I carries adjacent oneend of the device an inner disc 2, secured to the shaft by means of a hub 3, and a larger outer disc 5 (with cut-out center) attached inspaced relation to the disc 2 with the aid of bolts or rods 4. The same construction is preferably congruously carried on shaft I adjacent the other end of the device (not illustrated). A multiple number of rods or the like 6 extend between congruous points adjacent the circumference of the outer discs 5, each carrying a laterally expansible coil spring '1 attached to sliding heads 50, one at each end of each spring. Each sliding head 50 forms part of an arm 8 preferably slidable on a rodor bar 9 by means of a guide slide 5i. A substantially stationary wheel box or. the like lil carries, preferably adjacent each end of the roll, composed of the multiple spaced apart springs 1, suitable guide means such as the discs H and 12, both set at an angle to the roll and to each other and preferably in substantially co-axial alignment therewith. Each pair of discs adjacent one end of the roll ispreferably substantially symmetrically and congruously disposed to the pair of discs adjacent the other, the discs of each pair being preferably at least at one point in close proximity to one another. In this manner the outer guide disc i l at one end will be substantially parallel to the inner guide disc II at the other while both outer discs I I, 52 as well as both inner discs l2, II are set at-an angle and preferably at a congruous angle to one another. Each of the discs II and I2 defines a suitable path of travel for the free ends of arms 8, such as the circumferential grooves i3 and I4 respectively, preferably the grooves of adjacent discs II and I2 merging at the point of closest proximity into one common path, such as the groove 52 common to the discs H and I2 (Figs. 2 and 5). Disc II on one side of the device and the thereto congruously angled disc l2 at the other side carry each in slidable engagement therewith the multiple arms 8. As illustrated in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the slidable engagement of arms 8 with the disc grooves may be obtained by means of the free ends of arms 8 preferably in the form of pins or thelike l5 slidably extending into the substantially annular paths defined by the grooves.

Each pair of discs is provided with a suitable switch or shimt arrangement preferably mounted between adjacent discs such as the switch arrangement mounted on support I! between discs II and I2 and comprising the two-arm lever I8 pivotallymounted on shaft I6 againstthe force of a spring I9 attached to one end of arm IBb of lever I8 (Figs. 3 and 4). forms a switch tongue 20,, releasably pivotable from a position in groove I3 to, a position in groove I4 upon actuation by engagement with the free end of projection 22 secured to switch or shunt lever 2| carried by arm I80. of lever I8; the switch tongue 20 extends into the common path 52 of grooves I3 and. lion adjacentdiscs II and I2 and preferably in substantial simulae. tion of the curvature of the grooves. When the switch tongue is in the normal working position earms .W l. baeiuidei: n th ir path f travel by h ro ve I w e easwhen he. w tc to g is in the engaged position (i. e., pivoted against theforpeofthe spring, IS) the arms 8 will be shunted from groove l3, to groove [4 and will be uidedintheir path, of travel by the latter, The pr0it 9.n-.2 s pr'eie a y f rme v of a spring orthe like extends with its free end into, o ad acent, as. the as may e. h h of travel, of projecting noses 23 carried at one end of eachv of the levers; each of the arms 8 carries one such lever, 24 pivotally mounted by means of the. pivot pin 25, the freeend of each of said levers 24 extending to and preferably slightly above the beltor roll, defined by the springs, to a position adjacent the edge of the normal course of travel of a web of textile material travelling over .thesame and is preferably formed as arm 25. Pivot pins 26 are preferably so arranged that in the normal operationof the device each. lever 24 with its extension 25 and projecting nose 2 3 assumes substantially the position shown in dottedv outlineinFig. 2 in which position, the projecting noses 23 intheir. path of travel freely pass the free end of the spring 22 without engaging the same; lever 24 will assume a tripped position only when arm or extension 2.5 is depressed, by the fabric web G, i. e., when the web runs ofi its normaloourseion the roll. When one or more levers .241 are in the tripped position their projecting noses 23 are raised so that the same intheir normal path of travel will now engage the free end of spring 22 thereby actuating the switchand pivoting switch tongue 2!] againstthe force of. spring I9. The pins I5 will then, duringthe rotation of the belt or roll, glide. in groove I4- and the roll will rotate in a manner substantially without expansion and contraction of its cross membered circumferencev since the corresponding pins. I5 at the oDDQsite end of the roll are operating normally in the groove of the outer guide disc which is parallel to groove I4. on disc I2.

As will be seen from the drawings the respective outer discs are congruous to each other and the respective, inner discs are congruous to each other. It is likewise evident that each outer disc is parallel to the inner disc at the other end. Inthe specification and claims reference to the position of the switch tongueas being in a congruous disc groove position designates a position of the switch tongue in the normal working position while conversely reference to the. position of the switch tongue as being in a. parallel Arm I8a of lever t3- disc groove position connotes a position of the switch tongue in the actuated position.

Instead of using a plurality of springs as the laterally elastic cross members, composing the laterally elastic belt or roll in accordance with the invention, it is possible and within the purview of my discovery to use other laterally elastic means such as. a multiple number'of rubber ropes in most. cases of advantage, that supporting rods such as the rods 6 be used.

Though I prefer a structural assembly resembling that of a roll having a. suitable laterally elastic circumference, of substantially circular cross section, I am not limited to such construction and may use, should particular conditions recommend such procedure, a construction in which the web receiving part of the expansible circumference of the device is not of substantially even curving, but is more or less flattened out; where, therefore, in the specification, and claims I make reference to a laterally elastic roll, or use an expression of similar import, I mean to includeany laterally expansible structure adapted. to receive and laterally stretch aweb of textile material, in which the configuration of the true or primary cross-sectional contour of that structure is substantially that of an endless curve and irrespective of whether such curve is substantially circular or not. In either case, however, the guide means should preferably define a path of travel for the arms 8 in substantial simulation of at least the web receiving part of the primary cross sectional contour of; the roll.,

The means for the successive lateral expansion and contraction of the roll may be of any desired type or construction and may be selected, if desired, without. regard to any specific, structural elements composing. the assembly designed to accomplishthe desired result. In the preferred practice of my invention, however, and. as a further embodiment thereof, I find it of advantage to use the novel roll expanding and contracting means herein described and illustrated in the drawings. These comprise at leasttwo substantially stationary, preferably congruous, guide means, at least one for either end of the roll and-set at; an angle thereto and to each other, such as the disc II at one end and the thereto congruously angled disc I2 at the other, and on each guide means or disc a multiple number of arms 8 in slidable engagement with the guide means and preferably in slidable engagement with the grooves I3 and I4 on the disc II and I 2, andeach extending to a circumferential point of attachment with the roll adjacent its end thereof.

The means for temporarily eliminating the roll expanding and contra tingv action may be of any desired construction, their selection, being of course dependent to some extent upon the particular expanding .and. contracting means used. They may be eithensuch aswill; simply temporarily suspend, orsdisengage the. expanding and contracting means thereby permitting the roll to rotate on its mount without expanding and contracting action, or they may be such as will shunt the control of the roll from means controlling the rotation of the same with an expanding and contracting action onto means controlling the rotation of the same without such action Though I prefer a suitable switch arrangement, as for instance the one recited above, any other suitable means or arrangement, may be used.

In place of the particular web course control means, illustrated in the preferred form of the invention, it is possible to use other suitable control means for the actuation or engagement of the means for the temporary elimination or suspension of the laterally expanding and contracting means.

In the practical operation of the preferred embodiment of my invention the laterally elastic roll is rotated either with the aid of suitable driving means or by the simple expedient of pulling the web of fabric G over the same. In the normal rotation of the roll the arms 8 ride with their pins [5 in the grooves l3 and M of the congruously angled discs I l and 12 mounted respectively at opposing sides of the roll. These discs, being set at an angle to each other, possess corresponding points of minimum distance as well as of maximum distance between their circumferences. While the roll is rotating, the pins l5, travelling on either side of the device in the circumferential grooves 13 and M respectively, pass through a po sition of minimum distance between circumferential points on the discs, move then gradually further and further apart until they reach a position of maximum distance between circumferential points on the discs and finally approach each other until the minimum distance position is again attained whereupon the cycle is repeated. The movement of the pins l5 along the circumferential grooves 13 and M on the discs H and I2 is transmitted to the elastic cross members or springs l which will expand graduallyfrom a minimum distance position to a diametrically opposed maximum distance position and again contract from the latter position. to the former. In the normal operation of the device the arms 8 with their pins l5 ride around congruously angled discs and the fabric web passing over the roll does not engage the extension or web course control arm 25 thus leaving the switch tongue 20 in the congruous disc groove position. If the fabric, however, runs off its normal course, i. e., if the f abric web veers to one side from a course substantially parallel to the center line of the roll, it will engage on that side the extension 25 and depress the same by its weight. This results in an elevation of the normal path of travel of the projections 23 to a sufficient degree to cause the projections to engage the free end of spring 22, thereby swinging arm l8b' around its pivot l6 against the force of the spring l9 thus moving arm I8a. .with the attached switch tongue 20 from the congruous disc groove into the parallel disc groove position. The pins l5 with the arms 8 will then be shunted from their course of travel on the affected congruously angled disc onto a course of travel on the adjacent parallel disc, in this manner temporarily eliminating the lateral expansion and contraction of the roll and. continuing the rotation of the same substantially without expansion or contraction of its elastic circumference. During this interval the surfaceof the roll between points defined by minimum and .maximum construction in normal operation unnormal position thereby lowering the path of travel of the projections 23 and releasing the'free end of spring 22 whereupon spring I9 will pull arm l8 back into the normal position; switch tongue 28 is then again in the congruous disc groove position, i. e., in the open position with regard to groove l3 on outer disc H and in the closed position with regard to groove [4 on inner disc I2. The pins I5 and arms 8 are now shunted back onto the congruously angled disc and continue their rotation on the same with the springs 1 again passing through their cycle of contraction and expansion.

The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and I am not to be limited to any details but only by the appended claims in which I have endeavored to claim broadly all inherent novelty.

I claim:

1. A device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally stretch a web of textile material and in-- cluding means for successively laterally expanding and contracting said roll during the rotation thereof and means positioned to be engaged by a textile web running off its course on said roll thereby temporarily disengaging said first mentioned means.

2. A device for the lateral stretching-of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally stretch a web of textile material and including means for successively laterally expanding and contracting said roll during the rotation thereof, means for temporarily eliminating the roll expanding and contracting action of said first mentioned means and permitting non-expanding and contracting rotation of said roll, and actuating means for said latter means positioned to be engaged by a textile web. running off its course on said roll.

3. In a device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material, the improvement comprising in combination with a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll, at least two substantially stationary congruous circular guide means, at least one for either end of said roll and set at an angle thereto and to'each other and a multiple number of arms mounted on each of said guide means in slidable engagement therewith, each of said arms extending to a circumferential point of attachment with said roll adjacent its end thereof.

4. In a device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material, the improvement comprising in combination with a'rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll, two substantially stationary coaxially aligned congruous circular discs, one adjacent either end of said roll, and set at an angle thereto and to each other, and a multiple num-- ber of arms mounted on each of said discs in slidable engagement with the circumference thereof, each of said arms extending to a'circumferer'n tial point of attachment with said roll adjacent of..-textile material, the improvement comprising in combination with a rotatably mounted laterally elasticv roll, two substantially stationary coaxially aligned congruous circular discs, one adjacent either end of said roll and set at an angle thereto and to each other and each having on its circumference a substantially annular groove, and a multiple number of arms mounted on each of said discs to rotate around the same in slidable engagement with the groove thereon, each of said arms extending to a circumferential point of attachment with said roll adjacent its end thereof.

6. A device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally. stretch a web of textile material,

first means controlling the rotation of said belt with a successive lateral expanding and contracting action, second means controlling the rotation of said roll without such action, means for temporarily shunting the control of the rotation from said first to said second means and means positioned to be engaged by a textile web running off its course on said roll thereby actuating said shunting means.

7. A device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally stretch a web of textile material, at least two substantially stationary guide means, at least one for each side of said roll, said guide means being set at an angle to each other and to said roll, a multiple number of arms disengageably mounted on each of said guide means in slidable engagement therewith, each of said arms extending to a circumferential point of attachment with said roll on its side thereof, means for temporarily disengaging said arms from their path of travel defined by said guide means, and means positioned to be engaged by a textile web running off its course on said roll thereby actuating said disengaging means. 1

8. A device in accordance with claim 7 in which said roll is of substantially circular cross-section and in which the endless path of travel defined by each of said guide means is a substantially annular path in substantially coaxial alignment with said roll.

-,9. A device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally stretch a web of textile material, at least two substantially stationary first guide means, at least one for each side of said roll and each defining an endless path of travel, said guide means being set at an angle to each other and to said roll, a multiple number of arms mounted on each of said guide means in slidable engagement therewith on said path of travel, each of said arms extending to a circumferential point of attachment with said roll on its side thereof, at least two substantially stationary second guide means at least one for each side of said roll and each defining an endless path of travel, said first guide means at one side of said belt being substantially parallel to said second guide means at the other, means for temporarily shunting said arms from their path of travel defined by a first to the path of travel defined by an adjacent second guide means and means positioned to be en- 'gaged by a textile web running off its course on said roll, thereby actuating said shunting means.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9 in which said roll is of substantially circular crosssection and in which the endless path of travel defined by each of said guide means is a substantlally; annularpath in substantially coaxial alignment with said roll.

' 11. A devicefor the lateral stretching of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably moimted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally stretch a web of'textile material, at least .two substantially stationary first discs, at least one adjacent each end of said roll in substantially coaxial alignment therewith and set at an angle thereto and to each other, a multiple number of arms mounted on each of said discs on a substantially circular endless path in slidable engagement therewith adjacent the circumference thereof, each of said arms extending to a circumferential point of attachment with said roll on its side thereof, at least two substantially stationary second discs at least one adjacent each end of said roll and adapted to slidably engage said arms on a substantially circular endless path adjacent the circumference thereof, each first disc at one side of said roll being substantially parallel to a second disc at the other, and, for each pair of first and second discs positioned at the same side of said roll, means for temporarily shunting said arms from their path of travel on the first disc onto a path of travel on the adjacent second disc and means for each of said shunting means positioned to be engaged by a .textize web running off its course at its end of said roll thereby actuating said shunting means.

12. A device in accordance with claim 11 in which said. laterally elastic roll is composed of a plurality of substantially parallel laterally elastic spaced apart cross members and in which each arm extends to a point of attachment with one cross member adjacent its end thereof.

13. A device in accordance with claim 1]. in which said laterally elastic roll is composed of a plurality of laterally extending substantially parallel spaced apart coil springs and in which each arm extends to a point of attachment with one of said springs adjacent its end thereof.

14. A device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally stretch a web of textile material, two substantially stationary first discs, one adjacent each end of said roll in substantially coaxial alignment therewith and set at an angle thereto and to each other, and each having on its circumference a substantially annular groove, a multiple number of arms mounted on each of said discs in slidable engagement with said groove, each of said arms extending to a circumferential point of attachment with said roll on its side thereof, two substantially .stationary second discs, one adjacent each end of said roll and each having on its circumference a substantially annular groove, each pair of first and second discs adjacent the same side ofv said roll having part of the annular grooves in close proximity to one another and being substantially symmetrically and. congruouslyd-isposed to the pair of first and second discs adjacent. the other, each first disc at one side of said roll being substantially parallel to the second disc at the other, and, for each of said pair of discs, a switch arrangement, including a switch tongue, for temporarily switching said arms from the groove on a first disc to the groove on its adjacent second disc and means for each of said switch tongues positioned to be en gaged by a textile web running off its course at its end of said roll thereby actuating said switch tongue.

15. A device in accordance with claim 14 in which said laterally elastic roll is composed of a plurality of laterally extending substantially parallel spaced apart coil springs and in which each arm extends to a point of attachment with one of said springs adjacent its end thereof.

7 16. A device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally stretch a web of textile material, two substantially stationary first discs, one adjacent each end of said roll in substantially co-axial alignment therewith and set at an angle thereto and to each other, and each having on its circumference a substantially annular groove, a multiple number of arms mounted on each of said discs in slidableengagement with said groove,

congruously disposed to the pair of first and sec-' ond discs adjacent the other, each first disc at one side of said roll being substantially parallel to the second disc at the other, and, for eachof said pair of discs, a switch arrangement, including a switch tongue releasably pivotable from a congruous disc groove position to a parallel disc groove position against the force of a spring bymeans of a switch lever carrying at least one side wardly extending projection, and a multiple number of web course control levers, one for each of said arms and pivotally attached thereto, each of said control levers being positioned to be engaged at one end by a textile web running off its course thereby pivotally raising its other end into engagement position with said projection.

17. A device in accordance with claim 16 in of said roll in substantially co-axial alignment therewith, the discs of each pair being set at an angle to said roll and to each other, the pair of discs at one end being substantially symmetrically and congruously disposed to the pair of discs at the other, each of said discs having on its circumference a substantially annular groove, one of said discs on one side and the thereto congruously angled disc at the other having each mounted thereon in slidable engagement with said groove, a multiple number of arms, one for each of said springs and attached thereto adjacent its end thereof, the discs composing each of said pairs of discs forming with part of their annular grooves a common groove, and, for each of said pair of discs, a switch arrangement including a switch tongue in said common groove releasably pivotable from a congruous disc groove position to a parallel disc groove position against the force of a spring bymeans of a switch lever carrying at least one laterally extending projection, and a multiple number of web course control levers, one for each of said arms and pivotally attached thereto, each of said control levers being positioned to be engaged and depressed at one end by a textile web running off its course thereby pivotally raising its other end into engagement position with said projection. I

19. A device for the lateral stretching of webs of textile material comprising a rotatably mounted laterally elastic roll adapted to receive and laterally stretch a web of textile. material and composed of a plurality of laterally extending spaced apart substantially parallel coil springs,

a pair of substantially stationary discs adjacent each end of said roll in substantially co-axial alignment therewith and mounted on a common rotatable shaft, the discs of each pair being set at an angle to said roll and toeach other, the pair of discs at one end being substantially symmetrically and congruously disposed to the pair of discs at the other, each of said discs having on its circumference a substantially annular groove, one of said discs on one side and the thereto congruously angled disc at the other having each mounted thereon in slidable engagement with said groove, a multiple number of arms, each carrying at one end a sliding head attached to one'of said springs adjacent its end thereof, the discs composing each of said pairs of discs forming with part of their annular grooves a common groove, a multiple number of rods, one within each of said springs extending at either end beyond its spring, each of said springs and sliding heads being slidable on its rod, said rods being supported at either end of said roll by means secured to said rotatable shaft, and, for each of said pair of discs, a switch arrangement including a switch tongue in'said common groove releasably pivotable from a congruous disc groove position to a parallel disc groove position against the force of a spring by means of a switch lever carrying at least one laterally extending projection, and a multiple number of web course control levers, one for each of said arms and pivotally attached thereto, each of said control levers being positioned to be engaged and depressed at one end by a textile web running off its course thereby pivotally raising its other end into engagement position with said projection.

20. A device in accordance with claim 19 in which said means secured to said rotatable shaft comprise an inner disc mounted on said shaft adjacent one end of the portion of said shaft extending between said pairs of discs, an outer disc supported in spaced relation by said inner disc and having secured thereto said rods, a

multiple number of guide bars extending between said first and second discs, one for each of said arms and each having slidably mounted thereon a guide slide secured to one of said arms, said inner discs being of a cross section smaller than the cross section of said roll and said outer discs being of a cross section at least equal to'that of said roll.

. KARL BiiNzLI. 

